Volcano Art Center presents Kahula ‘O Nawahine Noho Pu’ukapu under the direction of kumu hula Ana Nawahine-Kahoopii for an inspirational hula kahiko performance at the hula platform in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10:30am.

Ana Nawahine-Kahoopii by Ken Kurashima

The halau, founded by Nawahine-Kahoopii in 2007, is based in Kuhio Village, Hawaiian Homelands in the ahupua’a of Pu’ukapu, Waimea. The mission of the halau is to express the sacred through the poetry of hula.

“Hula is a sacred path to the core of ourselves, the world we exist within and the worlds that exist within us. As we deepen this awareness of our place in the cosmos it is reflected in our voices and bodies, the joy of oli (chant) and hula (dance) are expressions of this awakening. This path of awakening is a lifetime commitment and one we graciously share with you,” says kumu Nawahine-Kahoopii.

Kahula ‘O Nawahine Noho Pu’ukapu by Ken Kurashima

Also on December 15, there are cultural demonstrations of lei making from 9:30am to 1:30pm at Volcano Art Center Gallery. For the outdoor hula performance, the audience is encouraged to bring mats for sitting on the grass, plus rain and sun gear as the presentation takes place rain or shine. As parking is limited, carpooling is strongly recommended. Events are free; however, national park entrance fees apply.

These events are sponsored in cooperation with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and supported in part by the County of Hawaii’s Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. For more information, call Volcano Art Center at (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Volcano Art Center (VAC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1974 to develop, promote and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawaii’s people through the arts and education.